Bill Murray said on 'The Drew Barrymore Show' that he 'sympathized' with Gene Hackman, his late 'Royal Tenenbaums' costar, despite him being 'difficult'

So he was a little irritable, but he had to work with children, dogs … they put him in very challenging positions to work.’ Murray added that Hackman ‘felt a lot of respo

And he was really difficult, we can say it now, but he was a tough guy. Older, great actors do not give young directors much of a chance. They’re really rough on them,” said Bill Murray.

Gene Hackman’s acting flaw was that he was just too darn good. After the two-time Oscar winner was found dead in his New Mexico home earlier this week, the Associated Press published an interview in which his “Royal Tenenbaums” co-star Bill Murray gave insight into filming the 2001 Wes Anderson-directed movie.

Following yesterday’s tragic loss of the great Gene Hackman, many who knew him (and even more who simply respected his work) have spoken out about the accomplished star. Now Bill Murray, who appeared with Hackman in Wes Anderson’s The Royal Tenenbaums has lovingly remembered one of the actor’s final performances,

Bill Murray has paid an honest tribute to Gene Hackman. Murray described Hackman as one of the greats of the acting profession after his death was confirmed on Thursday, but said he could be a “tough nut” to work with.

Murray said Hackman likely saw director Wes Anderson as "just a punk kid" and wasn't afraid to be "rough" on him

He admitted that the late actor was "a little irritable" during filming but ultimately came around to director Wes Anderson and the movie.

You're going to get a good movie," the comedian said of the experience. He did remember, though, that Hackman was "a little irritable" during production since he was a veteran actor at that point.

Bill Murray says Gene Hackman was ‘really rough on’ Wes Anderson in The Royal Tenenbaums - Murray recalled having to ‘step in’ and ‘defend’ Anderson

Gene Hackman's death left other Hollywood figures, including Bill Murray, Francis Ford Coppola and Dustin Hoffman shocked and saddened.

Bill Murray delivered an honest remembrance of his “The Royal Tenenbaums” co-star Gene Hackman on Thursday, calling him a “brilliant” actor but saying he was a “tough nut” who was “really rough” on director Wes Anderson.